Push button latch release door handle



May 3, 1955 G. v. JAKEwAY 2,707,648

` PUSH BUTTON LATCH RELEASE DooR HANDLE Filed Jan. 21, 1952 INVENTUR. awa/d e/afffway @a ew United States Patent O PUSH BUTTON LATCH RELEASE DOOR HANDLE Gerald V. Jakeway, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to Keeler Brass Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 21, 1952, Serial No. 267,477 10 Claims. (Cl. 292-3363) This invention relates to improvements in push button latch release door handles.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, `to provide a push button latch release door handle which is easy to operate, and one in which the push button is located and guarded so that it is very unlikely to become inoperative as the result of freezing or clogging.

Second, to provide a door handle of this type which may be readily embodied in attractive designs and for ready application to different door surface contours, such as automobile doors.

Further objects, and objects relating to the details and economies of the invention will appear from a description to follow. The invention is pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a front elevational view with the handle mounted upon a door panel which is conventionally illustrated.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the handle.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section on a line corresponding to line 3 3 of Figs. l and 2, the handle being illustrated as mounted upon a door, and its operative relation to a catch release member being conventionally shown.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view on the line corresponding to line 4 4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partially in section showing certain steps in assembling.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a generally yoke-shaped body member 1 having an upwardly extending flange 2 on its inner edge. The front plate 3 is of generally curved section and is shaped to correspond to and complement the body member to provide a chamber 4 at least at one end of the handle. The front plate 3 is disposed with its outer edge 5 in edge abutting relation to the inner side of the body member and its inner edge 6 in lapping relation to the body member flange. These parts are formed as stampings. The nishing sheath 7 closely embraces the front plate and serves also as a connecting means for the body member and the front plate, it having inturned flanges 8 clampingly embracing the edges of the body member. The sheath may be chrome plated or otherwise suitably finished.

The body member has a slideway 9, for the push button 10 which is slotted at 11, to slideably receive the push button. In the embodiment illustrated the slideway is defined by the parallel slots i2. The tubular guide 13 for the plunger 14 is mounted in an opening 15 in the flange 2, as shown in Fig. 3, of the body member to project into the chamber 4. In the embodiment illustrated the guide is retained by means of annular upset portions 16 at each side of the flange 2. The plunger 14 is xedly secured as by welding, indicated at 141, to the inner side of the push button which is desirably cup-shaped as illustrated. The upper and lower ends of the slots 12 constitute stops for limiting the stroke of the push button, as is apparent by reference to Fig. 2.

For convenience in assembling the device the slideway 9 is transversely slit at 25 between the parallel slots l2 to permit deflection of the lower portion 26 as shown in Fig. 5. The push button is inserted through the resulting opening and welded to the plunger 14 after which the portion 26 is bent back into its normal horizontal position. The push button and plunger actuated thereby are retracted by means of thecoil spring 17 which is disposed to embrace the plunger, with its inner end in supported embracing engagement with the guide 13 and its outer end in thrust engagement with the inner side of the push button. The body member has a transverse offset 1S therein to accommodate the spring, this offset extending into the slideway.

ln Fig. 3 l conventionally show the plunger in operative relation to an actuated element 20 of a latch. 21 illustrates a door panel, and as many automobile door panels have curved surface portions, the embodiment of my invention illustrated is designed for mounting on a curved surface. To that end the body member is provided with threaded holes 22 adapted to receive attaching screws 23. The flange 2 is inclined to correspond generally to the inclination to the surface on which the handle is mounted so that when mounted the handle is in a horizontal position as is shown in Figs. l, 3, and 4. The yoke-shape of the handle provides a grip portion, the push button being at the end of this grip portion so that the push button may be manipulated with the thumb of a hand grasping the grip. The push button is disposed entirely on the under side of the handle so that it is guarded thereby and is not likely to become clogged by dirt or to freeze as water is not likely to reach it, but if water does reach the push button it drips away from the pushbutton and its slideway.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other adaptations or embodiments which i contemplate, as l believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A door handle comprising a generally yoke-shaped body member having an upwardly extending flange on its inner edge, a front plate of generally curved section shaped to correspond to and complement said body member to provide a chamber at least at one end of the handle, the front plate being disposed with its outer edge in edge abuting relation to the inner side of the body member and its inner edge in lapping relation to said body member flange, a sheath conformed and disposed over said front plate and having flanges on its edges retainingly folded around the edges of said body member, said body member having spaced transverse slots therein defining a push button slideway, a tubular plunger guide mounted upon the said body member flange to project into the said chamber at the inner side of said slideway, an actuating plunger reciprocatingly mounted in said plunger guide, an inwardly facing cupped push button secured to said actuating plunger and slotted to receive said slideway with a portion of the push button projecting on the under side of the handle and guarded thereby, stops limiting the stroke of the push button, and a coil spring surrounding said plunger with its outer end in thrust engagement with said push button and its inner end in supported engagement with said plunger guide.

2. A door handle comprising a generally yoke-shaped body member having an upwardly extending flange on its inner edge, a front plate of generally curved section shaped to correspond to and complement said body member to provide a chamber at least at one end of the handle, said body member having spaced transverse slots therein detining a push button slideway, a tubular plunger guide mounted upon the said body member liange to project into the said chamber at the inner side of said slideway, an actuating plunger reciprocatingiy mounted in said plunger guide, an inwardly facing cupped push button secured to said actuating plunger and slotted to receive said slideway, with a portion or the push button projecting on the under side of the handle and guarded thereby, stops limiting the stroke of the push button, and a coil spring surrounding said plunger with its outer end in thrust engagement with said push button and its inner end in supported engagement with said plunger guide.

3. A door handle comprising a body member having an upwardly extending flange on its inner edge, a front plate shaped to correspond to and complementing said body member to provide a chamber at least at one end of the handle, the front plate being disposed with its outer edge in edge abutting relation to the inner side of the body member and its inner edge in lapping relation to said body member iange, a sheath conformed and disposed over said front plate and having flanges at its edges retainingly folded around the edges of said body member, said body member having spaced transverse slots therein deiiining a push button slideway, an actuating plunger reciprocatingly supported at the inner side i of said slideway, a push button secured to said actuating plunger and slotted to receive said slideway with a portion of the push button projecting on the under side of the handle, and a return spring for said plunger.

4. A door handle comprising a body member having an inwardly extending flange along one edge thereof, a front plate shaped to correspond to and complementing said body member and its flange to provide a chamber in the handle, said body member having spaced transverse slots therein defining a push button slideway, an actuating plunger reciprocatingly supported at the inner side of said slideway between said body member and front plate, a push button secured to said actuating plunger and slotted to receive said slideway with a portion of the push button projecting on the outer side of the handle, and a return spring for said plunger.

5. A door handle comprising a grip portion and a horizontally iiattened chamber portion at one end of the grip portion, the chamber portion having an imperforate top wall merging into the grip and a bottom wall having spaced transverse slots therein defining a push button slideway, a plunger guide mounted on seid handle to project into the said chamber thereof, a push button slotted to receive said slideway with a segment of the push button on the outer side of the bottom wall and a f portion within the said chamber, a plunger 4reciprocatingly mounted in said guide at the inner side of said slideway and connected to said push button, a coil spring surrounding said plunger with its outer end in thrust engagement with said push button and its inner end in supported engagement with said guide, and stops limiting the stroke of said plunger, the projecting portion of the push button being on the under side of the handle. the handle projecting outwardly substantially beyond the push button when it is in retracted position, the push button being positioned adjacent to one end of the grip of the handle to facilitate manipulation of the push button by the thumb of one grasping the handle.

6. A door handle comprising a grip portion and horizontally flattened chamber portion at one end of the grip portion, the chamber portion having a bottom wall with spaced transverse slots therein defining a push button slideway, a plunger guide mounted on said handle to project into the said chamber thereof, a push button slotted to receive said slideway with a segment of a push button on the outer side of the bottom wall and a portion within the said chamber, an actuating plunger reciprocatingly mounted in said guide at the inner side of said slideway and connected to said push button, a coil spring surrounding said plunger with its outer end in thrust engagement with said push button and its inner end in supported engagement with said guide, and stops limiting the stroke of said plunger, the projecting portion of the push button being on the under side of the handle, the handle projecting outwardly substantially beyond the push button when it is in retracted position, the push button being positioned adjacent one end of the grip of the handle to facilitate manipulation of the push button by the thumb of one grasping the handle.

7. A door handle comprising a grip portion and chamber portion at one end of the grip portion, the chamber portion having a bottom wall with spaced transverse slots therein defining a push button slideway, a plunger guide mounted on said handle to project into the said chamber thereof, a push button slotted to receive said slideway with a segment of the push button on the outer side of the bottom wall and a portion within the said chamber, an actuating plunger connected to said push button, a coil spring surrounding said plunger with its outer end in thrust engagement with said push button and its inner end in supported engagement with said guide, and stops limiting the stroke of said plunger, the projecting por tion of the push button being on the under side of the handle.

8. A door handle comprising a grip portion and a chamber portion at one end of the grip portion having a bottom wall with spaced transverse slots therein defining a push button slideway, a plunger guide mounted on said handle to project into the said chamber thereof, a push button slotted to receive said slideway with a segment of a push button on the outer side of the bottom wall and a portion Within the said chamber, an actuating plunger reciprocatingly mounted in said guide at the inner side of said slideway and connected to said push button, and a return spring for said plunger, and stops limiting the stroke of said plunger, the projecting portion of the push button being on the under side of the handle, the handle projecting outwardly substantially beyond the push button when it is in retracted position, the push button being positioned adjacent one end of the grip of the handle to facilitate manipulation of the push button by the thumb of one grasping the handle.

9. A door handle comprising a grip portion and a chamber portion at one end of the grip portion having a bottom Wall slotted to provide a transverse push button slideway, a push button slidable on said slideway with a portion within the said chamber and with another portion outside said chamber, an actuating plunger reciprocatingly mounted at the inner side of said slideway and connected to said push button, a return spring for said plunger, and stops limiting the stroke of said plunger, the projecting portion of the'push button being on the under side of the handle and the slideway, the handle projecting outwardly substantially beyond the push button when it is in retracted position, the push button being positioned adjacent one end of the grip of the handle to facilitate'manipulation of the push button by the thumb of one grasping the handle.

l0. In a push button unit, a supporting structure having a chamber therein, a wall of said chamber having parallel slots therethrough to provide a push button slideway, a cup-shaped push button having a slot in the head portion thereof for receiving therethrough the portion of the chamber wall between the parallel slots, the rim portion of the push button being reciprocable in said parallel slots, and an actuating plunger reciprocable in said chamber and connected to the push button within the riin portion thereof to be actuated by the push button from without and along one side of the chamber wall.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,587,583 Allen et al Mar. 4, 1952 2,604,346 Allen July 22, 1952 2,605,630 Keller Aug. 5, 1952 

